IN VOICE OVER WE HEAR BRIGIT PHILLIPS SAY: “It was two years ago and I was driving through the Panhandle of Texas on my way back to Dallas for my favorite cousin’s wedding. I’d been listening to a lecture about the immanent decline of Western society and I started crying. At just that moment my gas light went on and I exited to a lonely gas station in the middle of nowhere. Sobbing, I walked into the store to pay for my gas. I was looking for the restroom when I saw an oasis of quality Stetson Cowboy boots in all shapes and sizes. Stunned and wondering how there could be such a demand for Cowboy boots – even in Texas – in the middle of nowhere, I dried my eyes and a little voice in my head said ‘Why don’t you buy some Cowboy boots?’

So I set out to find a pair that I could want. I searched and touched and lifted and poked as three sales girls tried to help me but I hated all of the boots I saw because they were full of fake rhinestones or fancy stitching in bright colors. All I wanted was a simple elegant pair of Cowboy boots – like the pair I used to have in my youth. I lost them when, one day, this same cousin whose marriage I was driving to, pushed me into a swimming pool while I was wearing my beloved Cowboy boots. As a result they eventually cracked and I had to throw them out.”

DAVID: As a Texan that’s a big deal as these were the first pair of Cowboy boots you ever had?

BRIGIT IN V.O.: Yes and I wore them constantly for a decade so the leather had basically crafted itself to the shape of my foot which is such a wonderful feeling – there’s nothing like it.

DAVID: Okay, so why do you want to now sell these Stetson Cowboy boots you bought on your trip to your cousin’s wedding?

BRIGIT IN V.O.: Because I don’t wear Cowboy boots now that I live in Monte Carlo, and because it was just an impulsive purchase meant to distract me from my sorrows. You know, I haven’t really wanted to sell them because they’re like a memento of an important time in my life but now that I’ve finally told another person about the story behind them I think I can sell them.

DAVID: This is special… You and I have this knowledge and connection now… it’s a bond between us. Why don’t you send me a link to your ad for the boots so I can see them?

BRIGIT IN V.O.: Okay. (She hangs up the phone).

CUT TO BRIGIT CLICKING HER MOUSE TO SEND THE LINK TO DAVID.

CUT TO DAVID ON THE PHONE WITH A ROUGH LOOKING MAN SAYING GRUFFLY:

DAVID: No. Stop arguing with me. I want you to pay full price for these boots; don’t try to haggle with her. That’s right full price. I’ll wire you the money. Call me when you’ve got them.

CUT TO LOUIE, THE MAN ON THE OTHER END OF THE LINE WITH DAVID, SCRATCHING HIS HEAD AND GESTURING THAT HE’S CONFUSED. PAN AROUND HIS APARTEMENT WHICH IS A DUMP.

CUT TO THE NEXT DAY: BRIGIT’S READING AN EMAIL FROM A PERSON WANTING TO PURCHASE HER COWBOY BOOTS.

CUT TO BRIGIT MEETING LOUIE WITH THE STETSON COWBOY BOOTS.

BRIGIT: I’ve only worn them one time – to my cousin’s wedding – a few years ago.

LOUIE TOUCHES THE BOOTS ADMIRING THEM AND THEN CAREFULLY PUTS THEM BACK IN THE STETSON BOX AND THEN HE PUTS THE BOX UNDER HIS ARM, AND THEN TAKES OFF RUNNING AND DISAPPEARS INTO A SUBWAY STATION WITHOUT PAYING FOR THE BOOTS.

CUT TO BRIGIT IN HER COTTAGE ON THE PHONE TO DAN.

BRIGIT: I went to sell my Cowboy boots today and you won’t believe what happened.

DAN IN V.O.: You sold them.

BRIJIT: No. The man who came to buy them stole them then ran into the subway.

DAN: Send me a picture of the boots, I’ll find this guy and get your boots back. You can count on it!

DAN SLAMS DOWN HIS PHONE AND STARTS DRESSING. WHEN HE’S DONE HE PICKS UP HIS PHONE AGAIN AND CALLS.

DAN: Hey Nikki, I need you to help me catch the thief who stole BRIGIT’s boots.

CUT TO NIKKI AS HE SAYS:

NIKKI: Was she wearing them?

DAN: No!!!… Just go and find out who this jerk is and get back to me. I just sent you the thief’s contact info.

CUT TO NIKKI QUICKLY TYPING ON HIS COMPUTER AND THEN THE ADDRESS OF LOUIE APPEARS ON HIS SCREEN.

CUT TO DAN ARRIVING AT LOUIE’S APARTMENT. DAN WATCHES FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN SEES LOUIE LEAVING TO GET IN HIS CAR. DAN FOLLOWS HIM. LOUIE GOES INTO A FED EX CENTER CARRYING THE BOOT BOX MARKED “Stetson”. AFTER LOUIE LEAVES DAN GOES INTO THE FED EX AND FINDS THE BOX AND WRITES DOWN THE ADDRESS AND NAME WHERE LOUIE SENT THE BOOTS.

CUT TO DAN BACK IN HIS CAR CALLING NIKKI.

DAN: Look Nikki, I know you’ve got millions of points that you can contribute so stop whining and get me a ticket to Paris, I know it won’t cost you a thing and you want to see Brigit get her boots back too – right?

NIKKI: Yes I do. Go to the airport and I’ll call you with the info once I get it, but you’re flying coach!

DAN: Sure I don’t care.

CUT TO DAN IN PARIS STAKED OUT AT DAVID SMAJA’S APARTMENT. DAN IS ASTOUNDED THAT SO MANY GORGEOUS WOMEN GO IN AND OUT OF DAVID’S APT. THEN LATER, AFTER A WHILE OF WATCHING, DAN IS STUNNED TO SEE ONE OF THE BEAUTIFUL WOMEN WALK OUT WEARING BRIGIT’S STETSON COWBOY BOOTS.

CUT TO THE NEXT DAY, AGAIN DAN IS OUTSIDE OF DAVID’S APARTMENT WATCHING THE WOMEN COMING AND GOING. NOW DAN IS REALLY TAKEN ABACK BECAUSE ALL OF THESE WOMEN ARE NOW WEARING THE EXACT SAME KIND OF COWBOY BOOTS THAT WERE STOLEN FROM BRIGIT.

DAN CALLS NIKKI.

DAN: Man, you won’t believe this guy — the guy who got BRIGIT’s boots – he’s some kind of playboy who has an army of beautiful babes coming and going from his apartment. Yesterday one of them came out wearing BRIGIT’s boots – but today they ALL have a pair of the exact same boots on. This is really weird, man!

NIKKI: Let me see what I can dig up on David Smaja. I’ll call you back.

CUT TO DAN TAILING ONE OF THE GIRLS WHO CAME OUT OF DAVID’S APARTMENT. SHE GOES TO A THEATER AND GIVES A POSTER TO A MAN THERE. DAN WAITS TO SEE WHAT HE’LL DO WITH IT AND HE GOES AND OPENS THE CASE OUTSIDE AND UNROLLS THE POSTER AND DISPLAYS IT IN THE GLASS CASE. BELOW THE POSTER DAN READS “Coming Soon… The New Film By David Smaja “Boots.” THE PHOTO ON THE POSTER IS OF THE PAIR OF BRIGIT’S STETSON COWBOY BOOTS. DAN CALLS NIKKI TO TELL HIM.

DAN: You won’t believe this, one of these babes just delivered a poster to a movie theater which just displayed it in the coming attractions case and the movie poster is a photo of BRIGIT’s Cowboy boots.”

NIKKI: Well that makes some sense since David Smaja’s a film-maker and these women are probably in his latest film. I just read it will be released at the Caan Film Festival tomorrow.

DAN: I gotta go BRIGIT’s calling. Hey I was just thinking about you.

BRIGIT V.O.: What are you doing?

DAN: I’m enjoying the sites of Paris in the Spring and investigating a mystery.

BRIGIT: Wow, why… When did you get there… What are you doing there… Are you Okay?

CUT TO DAN BACK IN FRONT OF DAVID SMAJA’S APARTMENT. DAVID WALKS OUT OF THE BUILDING AND DAN SAYS:

DAN: I’ve got to go now but don’t worry I’ll get your boots back!

BRIGIT: But I don’t care about them any…. more… (the call has been disconnected)

BRIGIT LOOKS AT THE PHONE IN FRUSTRATION THEN SHRUGS, THEN DIALS ANOTHER NUMBER.

BRIGIT: Nikki, do you know what’s wrong with Dan? He’s in Paris and seems to be chasing after the guy who stole my boots, but the ticket to Paris is thousands of dollars and the boots only cost a couple of hundred. What is going on?

NIKKI: Hmmm… No I haven’t talked to Dan in weeks.

BRIGIT: It’s so weird! I don’t know what’s going on with Dan… Okay, I also called to ask you for a favor.

NIKKI: Anything!

BRIGIT: I have a new guy I’m really interested in but he’s in Paris and I wondered — I know you are so good with using rewards points to get free plane tickets — and I wondered how much cash you’d charge me to use some of your points for a flight to Paris?

NIKKI: Please, let me just give them to you! I have literally millions of points and I won’t live long enough to use them all up.

BRIGIT: Are you sure?

NIKKI: Absolutely sure! When do you want to go?

BRIGIT: I’m driving to the airport now.

NIKKI: Your ticket will be waiting at the AirFrance counter.

CUT TO THE CAAN FILM FESTIVAL. PEOPLE ARE MOBBING DAVID SMAJA AND HIS BEVVY OF BIMBOS WHO ARE ALL WEARING THE EXACT SAME STETSON COWBOY BOOTS – JUST LIKE BRIGIT’S BOOTS. THEY WALK AROUND AND HAVE THEIR PICTURES TAKEN AS DAVID IS APPROACHED BY THE MEDIA FOR INTERVIEWS. IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERVIEW DAVID’S PHONE RINGS WITH A SPECIAL TONE HE GAVE TO BRIGIT. HE TAKES THE PHONE OUT WHILE HE’S BEING INTERVIEWED ON CAMERA AND SEES HER TEXT “I’ll be in Paris in two hours and I can’t wait to meet you!!!” WHILE THE CAMERAS ARE STILL ROLLING AND WAITING FOR HIM HE RUNS AWAY TO GET TO THE AIRPORT TO GO BACK TO PARIS TO MEET BRIGIT.

CUT TO PARIS, DAVID AND BRIGIT HAVING DINNER AT AN INTIMATE RESTAURANT HAVING LOTS OF FUN. OUTSIDE THE FRONT WINDOW OF THE RESTAURANT WE SEE DAN IN SPYING ON THEM, AND FEELING BAD AS HE LOOKS AT BRIGIT HAVING A BLAST WITH DAVID. DAN DUCKS INTO A DOORWAY AND FRANTICALLY CALLS NIKKI.

DAN (screaming): How in the hell did she get here? You gave her your points didn’t you – idiot! Don’t do it again, don’t give her anymore plane tickets damn it! I’m in love with this woman and you’re screwing things up – just stay out of it.

DAN HANGS UP ON NIKKI WHO IS STUNNED AND HE STARTS PACING HIS APARTMENT TALKING OUTLOUND TO HIMSELF:

NIKKI (to himself): I should just stay out of it… Dan’s right… why am I involved in this insanity… why am I using up all my precious reward points… what is going on with me… why should I care… it’s not like she…. it’s not like I… it’s not like we…

NIKKI RUNS FOR THE COMPUTER AND MAKES HIMSELF A PLANE RESERVATION FOR PARIS AND PAYS FOR IT WITH REWARD POINTS.

CUT TO DAVID’S APARTMENT WHERE ON HIS TV HE WATCHES A REPORTER TALKING ABOUT HIS NEW HIT MOVIE “Boots.” THE REPORTER SAYS THAT THE MOVIE HAS CAUSED A FASHION CRAZE. LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO GET BRIGIT’S STYLE OF STETSON COWBOY BOOTS, AND STETSON IS HAVING TROUBLE KEEPING UP WITH THE DEMAND. THERE ARE A SERIES OF SHOTS OF PEOPLE ON THE STREETS WEARING THESE STETSON COWBOY BOOTS, AND THE CAMERA MAN PANS DOWN TO SHOW THAT THE REPORTER IS WEARING THEM TOO. DAVID WALKS AWAY FROM THE TV INDIFFERENT TO THE SUCCESS OF HIS MOVIE, AND TO THE FASHION TREND HE’S STARTED.

CUT TO DAVID AND BRIGIT WALKING AROUD THE STREETS OF PARIS. HE’S HEAD-OVER-HEELS IN LOVE WITH HER AND DOES NOT NOTICE OTHER PEOPLE ON THE STREET WHO POINT TO HIM AS BEING THE FAMOUS DIRECTOR. BRIGIT NOTICES ALL THE ATTENTION DAVID’S GETTING AND THEN SHE STARTS NOTICING A LARGE NUMBER OF WOMEN WEARING COWBOY BOOTS JUST LIKE HERS. SHE SAYS TO DAVID:

BRIGIT: Wow, I had no idea that Parisians were so into cowboy boots… and all the same kind… and they look just like the ones…

DAVID PLANTS A BIG KISS ON HER LIPS SO SHE CAN’T FINISH HER SENTENCE.

CUT TO DAVID AND BRIGIT WALKING BY THE SEINE, ARM IN ARM, DAVID IS TRYING TO MAKE AMORE TO HER BUT SHE’S STILL TOO DISTRACTED BY ALL THE BOOTS THAT LOOK LIKE HERS.

BRIGIT: Can we go get something to drink?

DAVID: Of course, I know a place right around the corner.

CUT TO THEM GETTING A COFFEE TO GO AND THEN WALKING AND THEY COME UPON A MOVIE THEATER AND SEE ON THE MARQUE THAT “Boots” IS PLAYING AND THEN THEY PASS BY THE MOVIE POSTER AND SHE SEES THAT THE BOOTS ON THE POSTER ARE JUST LIKE HER BOOTS. SHE NOTICES A SPECIAL MARK ON HER BOOTS WHICH IS ON THE BOOTS IN THE MOVIE POSTER. SHE’S SHOCKED.

BRIGIT: How is it your movie poster has my stolen boots on it? And why didn’t you tell me you’re the auteur David Smaja?

DAVID: Yes, I’m the famous director and this is my movie… and I had a friend of mine get your boots.

BRIGIT THROWS HER COFFEE ON THE SIDEWALK AND TURNS AROUND WALKING AWAY FROM DAVID. HE CHASES AFTER HER BUT A GROUP OF HIS FANS SEE HIM AND MOB HIM FOR AUTOGRAPHS SO HE CAN’T GET TO BRIGIT. AS SHE’S WALKING DOWN THE STREET SHE CALLS NIKKI.

BRIGIT: I can’t believe this guy, he had someone steal my boots… What a jerk…

BRIGIT: Oh… Hi, I wondered what happened to you. I expected to hear from you two weeks ago.

BRIAN: I’ll tell you about my delay when I see you. I’m calling to see if I can get you to come to Bordeaux.

BRIGIT: It just so happens I’m in Paris and would love to join you in Bordeaux. Can you have a ticket waiting for me at the airport.

BRIAN: I almost have it paid for now. Go to AirFrance and the ticket will be waiting for you.

BRIGIT FLAGS A CAB AND GETS IN.

CUT TO DAVID BACK AT HIS APARTMENT PACING IN FRONT OF HIS MAIN WINDOW AND PULL BACK TO SEE DAN IS ON THE STREET WATCHING HIM.

DAVID: Brigit wait… don’t hang up… I didn’t know they were stolen… please… tell me where you are… Why are you going to Bordeaux? Who is Brian?

CUT TO DAVID, FOLLOWED BY DAN, AT THE AIRPORT GETTING A FLIGHT TO BORDEAUX.

CUT TO DAN GETTING A FLIGHT TO BORDEAUX.

CUT TO DAVID GOING FROM HOTEL TO HOTEL IN BORDEAUX – FOLLOWED BY DAN – TRYING TO FIND BRIGIT. COMING OUT OF ONE OF THE FANCIEST HOTELS, DAVID GETS MOBBED AGAIN WHICH SIDETRACKS HIM AWAY FROM FINDING BRIGIT.

CUT TO DAVID IN DISGUISE GOING FROM HOTEL TO HOTEL TRYING TO FIND BRIGIT, FOLLOWED BY DAN.

CUT TO BRIGIT INSIDE A FANCY RESTAURANT IN BORDEAUX WITH BRIAN WHO’S TALKING ABOUT VARIOUS GRAND MONEY-MAKING SCHEMES WHICH WE CAN BARELY MAKE OUT IN V.O. BRIGIT IS SAVORING HER MEAL AND PAYING LITTLE ATTENTION TO BRIAN’S SCHEMES.

CUT TO BRIAN AND BRIGIT WALKING DOWN THE STREET IN BORDEAUX AND COMING UPON A THEATER WHICH IS PLAYING “Boots.” BRIAN SAYS:

BRIAN: Oh, I’ve really been wanting to see this, let’s see if there’s a showing now…

BRIGIT (non-plussed): Sure…

CUT TO NIKKI GETTING OFF A PLANE IN PARIS.

CUT TO DAVID GETTING MOBBED AGAIN BY WOMEN IN THE LOBBY OF A BORDEAUX HOTEL. HE RUNS INTO THE MEN’S ROOM. DAN FOLLOWS DAVID INTO THE MEN’S ROOM TO LISTEN TO DAVID’S PHONE CALL.

CUT TO A SERIES OF SCENSE IN THE MOVIE “Boots” WHERE IT BECOMES CLEAR BRIGIT THAT DAVID LOVES HER. WE SEE BRIGIT REALIZING THAT DAVID LOVES HER SO MUCH THAT HE’S MADE THIS MOVIE ALL ABOUT THINGS THAT SHE’S TOLD HIM ON THE PHONE BEFORE THEY EVER MET.

CUT TO BRIAN AND BRIGIT OUTSIDE THE THEATER ON THE STREET.

BRIGIT: I’m sorry but I’ve got to go back to Paris. Thanks for the wonderful meal!

SHE RUNS DOWN THE STREET TOWARD A CAB STAND AND BRIAN LOOKS ON CONFUSED. WHEN SHE’S IN A CAB SHE CALLS NIKKI.

BRIGIT: Nikki, I need another ticket, can you use more of your points for me?

NIKKI: Sure. Where are you?

BRIGIT: I’m in Bordeaux and I need to get back to Paris. Will you help me?

NIKKI: Of course! Go to the airport and the ticket will be waiting at AirFrance. When you get to Paris I need you to meet me at the George V Hotel. I’ll wait for you in the lobby.

CUT TO DAVID IN THE BATHROOM PACING TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO. HE GOES INTO A STALL AND CALLS LOUIE.

DAVID: You know I’m gonna kill you right?

LOUIE V.O.: Why?

DAVID: Why didn’t you just buy the damn boots like I told you to do… why did you steal them from Brigit?

LOUIE: I couldn’t help it I can’t pay full price for anything – and how did you find out I stole them?

DAVID: Never-mind. I need another pair of those exact same Stetson Cowboy boots. I want you to bring them to me in Bordeaux. I’m here looking for Brigit and I need your help, (whispering) there’s a man who’s been following me for days. I want you to meet me at the airport in Paris and help me ditch him.

CUT TO DAVID AND LOUIE BEING FOLLOWED BY DAN AT CHARLES DEGAUL AIRPORT IN PARIS. LOUIE CARRIES A STETSON BOOT BOX. LOUIE AND DAVID GO INTO THE VIP LOUNGE OF AIRFRANCE AND ARE FOLLOWED BY DAN. THEY GO INTO THE SHOWER ROOM AND DAN FOLLOWS THEM. THEY TRICK DAN INTO GOING INTO A ROOM THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO LOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE. WHEN DAN IS SECURELY LOCKED IN, DAVID AND LOUIE QUICKLY GO TO THE CAB STAND AND GET IN A CAB. WHILE IN THE CAB BRIGIT CALLS DAVID.

DAVID (to Louie): It’s her… (to the phone) Darling where are you?

BRIGIT: I’m in Paris heading to the George V Hotel. Where are you?

DAVID: I’m in Paris in a cab… (to cab driver) George V Hotel quickly… I’m now heading for the George V too.

CUT TO DAN BREAKING OUT OF THE LOCKED ROOM AND RUNNING TO GET A CAB OUTSIDE. HE GETS IN AND CALLS NIKKI.

DAN: Where’s Brigit?

NIKKI: She’s on her way to come see me so I can tell her I love her and ask her to marry me.

DAN: You WHAT??? Where are you?

NIKKI: The George V in Paris… I mean the Four Seasons in San Francisco.

DAN HANGS UP AND TELLS THE DRIVER:

DAN: George V Hotel – step on it!

CUT TO BRIGIT ARRIVING AT THE GEORGE V. SHE SEES NIKKI.

BRIGIT: Why are you here Nikki?

NIKKI: There’s something important I have to tell you.

BRIGIT: What is so important that you flew all the way to Paris to tell me?

NIKKI: Well a… I a…

BRIGIT SUDDENLY REALIZES THAT NIKKI LOVES HER AND SHE’S STUNNED AND REALING AND GROPES HER WAY TO A CHAIR TO SIT DOWN. WHILE SHE’S SITTING, DAVID AND LOUIE ARRIVE AND STORM INTO THE LOBBY AND RUSH OVER TO HER.

DAVID: Darling, are you okay, you look pale?

BRIGIT: Why are you with the man who stole my boots? Are those my boots in the box he’s holding?

DAVID: I sent him to BUY your boots but he’s cheap and stole them instead. I was planning to make your Cowboy boots the McGuffin (the object which is searched for that drives the action) in my latest film so you would have a token of my love for you. Darling, I’ve been in love with you since our first phone conversations.

BRIGIT FAINTS AND FALLS DOWN SPRAWLED OUT ON THE HOTEL LOBBY FLOOR.

CUT TO DAN ARRIVING AT THE GEORGE V HOTEL. HE RUSHES INTO THE LOBBY AND SEES BRIGIT ON THE FLOOR AND RUNS OVER TO HER. DAN SEES LOUIE NEAR BRIGIT SO DAN ASSUMES THAT LOUIE HAS HURT BRIGIT. DAN TACKLES LOUIE AS DAN RECOGNIZES LOUIE AS THE MAN WHO STOLE BRIGIT’S BOOTS.

DAN: You little creep, you’re the one who stole her boots…

LOUIE TRIES TO RUN BUT DAN COLLARS HIM AND STARTS POUNDING ON HIM. LOUIE WORMS OUT OF IT AND RUNS AWAY. DAN TURNS TO BRIGIT ON THE FLOOR AND THEN DAVID AND NIKKI ALSO CROWD AROUND HER. BRIGIT COMES TO AND SEES DAVID, NIKKI AND DAN ALL SURROUNDING HER AND ALL VERY CONCERNED. SHE QUICKLY REALIZES THAT ALL OF THEM ARE IN LOVE WITH HER.

DAVID: Brigit, I love you! I want you to marry me.

NIKKI: Me too!

DAN (to Nikki): I told you to stay out of this! (to Brigit) Darling I think you should marry me.

NOW DAN MAKES THREATENING GESTURES TO NIKKI WHO JUMPS UP AND STARTS RUNNING. DAN CHASES NIKKI. WE SEE THEM FIGHTING IN THE BACKGROUND AS DAVID HELPS BRIGIT STAND UP. DAVID BENDS DOWN ON ONE KNEE AND PULLS THE BOOTS OUT OF THE BOX THAT LOUIE DROPPED ON THE FLOOR AND USES THEM LIKE AN ENGAGEMENT RING (LIKE CINDERELLA) PUTTING THE COWBOY BOOTS ON BRIGIT WITH HER HELP. THEY FIT PERFECTLY. A CROWD THAT HAS GATHERED STARTS TO CLAP. MANY OF THE WOMEN IN THE HOTEL LOBBY WEAR THE SAME COWBOY BOOTS. DAN AND NIKKI ARE STILL FIGHTING IN THE BACKGROUND.

CUT TO BRIAN’S CHATEAU IN BORDEAUX WHERE DAVID AND BRIGIT’S WEDDING IS TAKING PLACE. NIKKI IS DAVID’S BEST MAN, AND DAN GIVES BRIGIT AWAY. EVERYONE AT THE WEDDING – INCLUDING BRIGIT AND DAVID – IS WEARING THE SAME PAIR OF COWBOY STETSON BOOTS.

BOOTS would be fun to see. I would especially enjoy the scene at the end in which Dan and Nikki fight in the background, perhaps beyond the camera’s field of focus, while David ceremoniously helps Brijit on with the boot. The two men STILL fighting in the background could be really funny!